Japanese food is often mentioned
in connection with a healthy diet because of the large amount of fish and
vegetables eaten. Even in Japanese home-style cooking, a lot of fresh, seasonal
fish and vegetables are cooked and people enjoy the natural cycle of the
seasons.
The most important staple food in Japan is rice, which is eaten at almost every
meal. There are many different types of rice dishes; plain, boiled white rice
is excellent for enhancing both main and side dishes in Japanese, Chinese or
European cuisine. In Japanese cuisine great attention is attached to fresh
ingredients, gentle methods of cooking and authentic flavours. Many Japanese
foods are only cooked for a very short time or are even eaten raw. Soy sauce
and other Japanese seasonings are also used to enhance the intrinsic flavour of
food – the combination of sushi and soy sauce is a good example.
To experience the best from the “Land
of the rising sun” we still have limited options available. Only top metro
cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and a few others have good Japanese
restaurants.
I have to admit that this
restaurant is one of the finest in Delhi, as per the location as well as per the
food quality. An upmarket location next to Qutab Minar, in the Ambawatta One
complex which houses the studio of celebrity Manish Malhotra many other luxury
brands.
We, TWCI -The Writers Collective
Of India were invited by the most friendly and humble Mr. Shahni the Asst.
Mgr. of the place. A wide staircase leads to the restaurant on the 1st floor.
Done beautifully with ample natural light and artefacts enhancing the beauty of
the whole place. The architecture of the rooms especially the roofs has not
been tampered with at all. The iron rods and the iron hooks in the roofs and
the beautiful jharonkha style windows give an old world charm to this beautiful
joint. Japanese love to sit and chat in private company while eating so they
have 2-3 small to big PDR's .
We sat at the table facing the magnificent Qutab Minar. As most of us
Indians are relatively new and less familiar with the Japanese Cuisine, except
the more American sushi rolls. We decided to leave it on the Chef and the
Manager to serve us rhe dishes as per them.
BTW they have pre designed course by course menu also for their clientele
priced at Rs 3000 to Rs. 5000 p.p.
We began our culinary journey
with a lively appetizers platter which had a Potato Salad with Tobiko (Fish Roe)
,Dashimaki Tomago (Japanese Omelette) and Nambanzuke ( Pickled Sole
Fish).......Very nice and subtle flavors of
the omelette with the saltiness coming from the fish roe and the tanginess of
the fish pickle was really awesome and a good start to the whole meal. Then we
were served with Seafood Kakiage and Veg Kakiage (Chopped Seafood and
Vegetables Crispy Fried Served with Tentsue and Ginger, Radish)...........It was just like our
pakodas, but the batter was like rice flour or something in tempura
batter. Chopped veggies were used instead of big pieces like in traditional
tempura. Very easily adaptable dish for us Indians.
Then came the most popular dish
on their menu, Buta Kakuni a 28 hrs braised pork belly , speciality of
the house. Very nice and tasteful. Yakitori grilled veggies as well as meat is
one more thing which we can easily adapt as it's like a BBQ wirh marinating of
some sauces like soya and teriyaki sauce etc. We had Chicken, leeks, chicken
wings skewers from Yakitori grill and really liked it.
My favorite is the Sashimi Carpaccio,
which was served in the best way on e can. Awesome slices of fish- Sliced tuna
and Salmon topped with siso dressing, Yuzukoshu Mayo and leeks. So flavorful
and tasty, I could have only this. This followed the Sushi rolls. I ordered the
Baked Salmon (Salmon outside) and Tuna Maki (Tuna and Asparagus) roll. Also the
Kappa Maki (Cucumber roll). And as always, I was the only one amongst our team
to relish the Sushi, which I thoroughly love. Most of the dishes we had were
made perfectly well with the use of the best of ingredients.
The assorted Nigiri was also served
which was a combination of salmon, tuna, yellow tail and squid. I tried the
Salmon and Tuna, again very fresh with great textures. The wasabi which was
being served with the dishes was too good as I could feel the pungency in my nose
as well as head. The next course had Teppenyaki - Chicken in ginger and leek
sauce and Grilled seabass in spicy miso sauce served with steamed rice
(sticky). Again a burst of earthy flavors in our mouths. A little sweetness
with the salty and sour flavor of miso and other sauces was heavenly. The Ramen
noodles in stir fry style was the last course in the mains section, which we
could not have too much as already we were full.
They have a nice collection of spirits and wines and also the Sake wine (Japanese). A range of Summer Coolers in Mocktails as well as Cocktails has been launched , which was really good. As we tried almost all of the coolers.
Japanese are not too much into
sweets …… Japanese desserts, referred to broadly as wagashi,
feature four principal recurring components: mochi (rice flour cake), bean
paste (especially “red bean paste”, made from azuki beans), fruit, and gelatin
(especially agar, derived from algae). These components are also found in many
regular, non-dessert foods. When used in desserts, however, they’re generally
sweetened with the addition of honey or sugar. Not too sweet though. If there’s
one major barrier to Westerners enjoying Japanese goodies, it’s an expectation
of overwhelming sweetness. As is often the case, Japan’s approach is more
subtle.
The
Anmitsu
agar jelly with brown honey was the same, not sweet at all. So, not my types.
They served a small platter which had a Japanese Chiffon cake, Baked Cheese
cake and a Chocolate gateau. They were fine, but not as good as europeans make in their
Bakeries and patisseries.
Overall,
it’s just not only about the meal, It’s an overwhelming experience of a
lifetime, the uber luxurious location on a heritage site and the uber special Japanese
food from the land of Sakuras and Samurais.
We
should definitely try this lovely cuisine, at least once. So that we are able
to relish and feel the joy of it. I promise, it will make you fall in love with
it forever.
“En
“ is the place to be , with your loving date especially and you can sit there
for long, chatting and enjoying the food
in the most romantic surroundings and scenery.
En - Restaurant
H-5/1, Ambawatta One Complex, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi - 110030
Phone:088262 97103
Reviewed By : Vickrham (vicky) TWCI - The Writers Collective of India
Email : vickrham.m@gmail.com